Home - Tim DeChristopherThe official home of Tim DeChristopher's climate justice work and activism. http://www.timdechristopher.org/
New Record from Bryan!<p>Bryan Cahall has been writing and singing his powerful songs all over the country for years. His music has graced most of the events I've done over the past year. His songs cultivate the deep resilience that we need to not only rise to the challenge of our times, but to continue to find beauty and meaning in these struggles. But as many people as have been moved and inspired by Bryan's music, he has never actually recorded a professional album with any of his wonderful songs. <a href="https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1011992869/bryan-cahalls-new-record-his-studio-debut/description">Until now.</a> Bryan is finally getting into the recording studio this summer so that his songs can touch countless more people. But he needs <a href="https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1011992869/bryan-cahalls-new-record-his-studio-debut/description">support</a> to be able to make it happen. Please watch the <a href="https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1011992869/bryan-cahalls-new-record-his-studio-debut/description">video</a> on his Kickstarter page and donate whatever you can. Then send this on to the folks you know that understand how important art and music are to the struggle for a just and healthy world. </p>
<p><a href="https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1011992869/bryan-cahalls-new-record-his-studio-debut/description">https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1011992869/bryan-cahalls-new-record-his-studio-debut/description </a></p>
<p> </p>
<p><img src="https://d3n8a8pro7vhmx.cloudfront.net/timdechristopher/pages/205/attachments/original/1495856927/60c28d647d97d2ad0d74c1c5f3d91971_original.jpg?1495856927" alt="60c28d647d97d2ad0d74c1c5f3d91971_original.jpg" /></p>Fri, 26 May 2017 23:53:58 -0400Tim DeChristopherhttp://www.timdechristopher.org/new_record_from_bryan
Statements from Harvard and Union<p>I'm sharing side by side two public statements recently released in response to Trump's ban on Muslim immigration and refugees. The first is from Harvard president Drew Faust on behalf of the university. The second is from the Union Theological Seminary president and faculty. They both unequivocally oppose Trump's fascist order, but they are strikingly different in tone, style, and substance. Their differences reveal the vastly different value systems represented by the two schools: the technocratic paradigm of globalism, capitalism, and neoliberalism on one hand, and Christian-centered prophetic justice on the other hand. To be clear, I applaud both schools for their responses, but I think the differences are too interesting to ignore.</p>Tue, 31 Jan 2017 20:53:03 -0500Tim DeChristopherhttp://www.timdechristopher.org/statements_from_harvard_and_union
Reflections from #DisruptJ20 and the Women's March<p><span>Over the years that I’ve been giving speeches, workshops, and interviews, I have frequently said that the climate movement is going to have to get a lot tougher. I usually say this in the context of acknowledging the hard truths of the catastrophic levels of climate change that are now inevitable, based on my assumption that it would take some time to toughen up enough to be ready to deal with difficult situations when they arrive. My experience in DC last week protesting the inauguration of the Trump regime has caused me to question and deepen some of those assumptions about how to approach these challenging times.</span></p>
<p><span>On Friday, January 20th, I was part of the climate movement contingent that was blocking the Red Gate checkpoint for people entering the inauguration ceremonies. The inauguration had a massive security barrier around the National Mall with several large, airport style screening areas that funneled people into the secured area. As other social justice movements blocked other gates, our crew of about 400 climate activists blockaded the checkpoint marked Red Gate at 3rd St. and D St. NW. Around 8am, we stretched across the street with several lines of people with linked arms and unfurled banners about climate justice.</span></p>
<p><span>It was immediately a chaotic scene. Several Trump supporters who happened to be mixed up in our large group took a while to figure out what was going on. Some turned around or tried to go around us. The police started escorting some Trump supporters over a small wall to our right and through the grass behind us, but this was a slow, single-file trickle compared to the wide flow of people for which the checkpoint was designed. </span></p>
<p><span><img src="https://d3n8a8pro7vhmx.cloudfront.net/timdechristopher/pages/202/attachments/original/1485489106/16002816_10101471390483474_3153650145910177722_n.jpg?1485489106" alt="16002816_10101471390483474_3153650145910177722_n.jpg" width="711" height="400" /></span></p>
<p><img src="https://d3n8a8pro7vhmx.cloudfront.net/timdechristopher/pages/202/attachments/original/1485488975/16174745_10104638413973020_5197606480240642059_n.jpg?1485488975" alt="16174745_10104638413973020_5197606480240642059_n.jpg" width="716" height="403" /></p>
<p> </p>Fri, 27 Jan 2017 09:39:00 -0500Tim DeChristopherhttp://www.timdechristopher.org/reflections_from_disruptj20_and_the_women_s_march
A Special Message from Tim<p id="E22" class="qowt-stl-Body"><span id="E25">Despite the obvious threats we face as activists and as a civilization, I feel deeply grateful for where my life is at right now. In addition to my personal fulfillment, I</span><span id="E26">’</span><span id="E27">m grateful for the ability to do meaningful work as an activist struggling for a better world. Nearly everything that defines my life today can be traced back to <a href="http://www.timdechristopher.org/bidder_70">that fateful act of civil disobedience I took in 2008</a>. And the main reason that this has been such a positive and joyful path was the resolute support I received from thousands of people across the country.</span></p>
<p id="E28" class="qowt-stl-Body"><span id="E30"></span><strong>When I stuck my neck out, countless people stepped up to lend their support physically, morally, and financially. They gave me the courage to make the most of the opportunity I had, and they generously donated to make sure I had the resources to sustain the struggle. Many of you who are reading this were probably among the folks who gave your time, money, and emotional energy. <br class="Apple-interchange-newline"><img title="ClimateDirectAction.jpg" src="https://d3n8a8pro7vhmx.cloudfront.net/timdechristopher/pages/201/attachments/original/1482589300/ClimateDirectAction.jpg?1482589300" alt="ClimateDirectAction.jpg" width="300" height="179" /></strong></p>
<p id="E32" class="qowt-stl-Body"><span id="E34"></span><span id="E34">Now I</span><span id="E34">’</span><span id="E34">m working with a group of activists who have also stuck their neck out in a bold way by <a href="http://www.shutitdown.today/shut_it_down">shutting down all five of the tar sands pipelines flowing into the US from Canada</a>. When folks in Standing Rock called for solidarity actions in October, this group went on the offensive against the pipeline companies that were assaulting our brothers and sisters. In addition to keeping about 700,000 gallons of tar sands oil in the ground, </span><span id="E34">their peaceful and well planned action</span><span id="E34"> expanded the boundaries of climate resistance, knowing that they would face serious consequences. Eight of the people involved in that action are facing criminal charges more serious than I faced for disrupting the BLM oil and gas auction, and they could spend decades in prison for their nonviolent act.<br></span></p>
<p id="E40" class="qowt-stl-Body"><span id="E42"></span><span id="E43">My friend Ken Ward, with whom I started the Climate Disobedience Center, turned the valve in Washington to stop the flow of tar sands for the day. He will be the first of the group to go to trial, currently scheduled to begin on January 30th, 2017. Ken has been working to stop climate change for a long time. I started working with him after he used a lobster boat in 2013 to block a shipment of West Virginia coal from being delivered to Brayton Point coal fired power plant. He took that case to trial and had the amazing outcome of the prosecutor dropping the charges and expressing his solidarity with their action. Ken is now ready to take this case to trial, but he needs support.</span></p>
<p id="E44" class="qowt-stl-Body"><span id="E46"></span><strong><span id="E46">The Climate Disobedience Center is spearheading support for Ken and all the other brave activists who are facing prosecution for this action. This could be a long journey through the courts and the prison system for Ken and the others, and we want to show them that they have committed and sustained support through it all. <a href="https://climatedisobedience.nationbuilder.com/donate_monthly">That</a></span><a href="https://climatedisobedience.nationbuilder.com/donate_monthly"><span id="E46">’</span><span id="E46">s why I</span><span id="E46">’</span></a></strong><a href="https://climatedisobedience.nationbuilder.com/donate_monthly"><span id="E46"><strong>m asking you to become a sustaining donor to the Climate Disobedience Center</strong>.</span></a></p>
<p id="E52" class="qowt-stl-Body"><span id="E54"></span><span id="E55">We have hired lawyers for them in four different states, so it will take some serious financial support to see them through the whole process. But I know from experience that if they end up serving time in prison, more than anything </span><span id="E56">they will need to know that they are not alone and that their actions were not in vain</span><span id="E57">. Your support will make a world of difference for them at the most difficult parts of their journey.</span></p>
<p id="E58" class="qowt-stl-Body"><span id="E60"></span><span id="E61">We are not naive about the political landscape we are entering, or about the likelihood that organizations like ours that foster dissent will face unprecedented repression. <strong>We could be shut down and our assets seized, but our only real asset is a network of relationships with people that are willing to support bold activism for climate justice. That</strong></span><strong><span id="E62">’</span><span id="E63">s why rather than asking for a big one time donation, <a href="https://climatedisobedience.nationbuilder.com/donate_monthly">I</a></span><a href="https://climatedisobedience.nationbuilder.com/donate_monthly"><span id="E64">’</span></a></strong><span id="E65"><strong><a href="https://climatedisobedience.nationbuilder.com/donate_monthly">m asking you to become a sustaining monthly donor</a>. </strong>If you are able to donate $100, sign up to be a sustaining donor at $10 a month instead. And then if they take us down, step up and keep supporting each other in doing the brave and loving work of defending a livable future.</span></p>
<p>Let's keep building a strong, loving resistance together,<br>-Tim</p>Sat, 24 Dec 2016 09:22:57 -0500Tim DeChristopherhttp://www.timdechristopher.org/a_special_message_from_tim
The Morning After<p>I woke up this morning feeling like I got hit by a truck, which is at least partially due to the fact that I got hit by a truck last night. </p>
<p><img src="https://d3n8a8pro7vhmx.cloudfront.net/timdechristopher/pages/200/attachments/original/1478707803/animated-car-crash-clipart-cliparthut-free-clipart-KMo63J-clipart.jpg?1478707803" alt="animated-car-crash-clipart-cliparthut-free-clipart-KMo63J-clipart.jpg" /></p>
<p>When I was coming into Providence on the commuter rail around 9:45, things were already looking bad. Trump was pulling ahead in Florida and North Carolina, and it was beginning to look like he could actually win. I got on my bike and started riding home. As I rode past a gas station on North Main St, a black Dodge Ram suddenly pulled out of the parking lot and into my right hip, sending me sprawling onto the pavement. I hopped up and dragged the bike to the curb. I immediately sat down and leaned against a telephone pole while I figured out what just happened.</p>
<p>My shoulder hurt, as did my hip, but I felt right away that I was basically fine. I never saw him coming until the last moment. At the moment the truck hit me, I remember having a thought along the lines of, “Well, this is really happening. I figured this might happen at some point.” I was wearing a helmet and and lights in the front and the back, as well as a reflective leg cuff on my right ankle, but I found myself immediately thinking about the things I could have done differently. In a minute or two the adrenaline wore off, and I felt pretty calm.</p>Wed, 09 Nov 2016 11:10:00 -0500Tim DeChristopherhttp://www.timdechristopher.org/the_morning_after
Breaking: Tar Sands Pipeline Shut Down<div class="gmail_default"><span>For Immediate Release: To avert climate catastrophe, activists shut down 5 pipelines bringing Tar Sands Oil into the U.S, in Solidarity with Standing Rock </span></div>
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<div dir="ltr">October 11th 2016</div>
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<p dir="ltr"><span class="m_3402241521547220865gmail-highlight"><span class="m_3402241521547220865gmail-colour"><span class="m_3402241521547220865gmail-font"><span class="m_3402241521547220865gmail-size"><strong>Press Contact: Afrin Sopariwala <a target="_blank">408.598.7656</a></strong></span></span></span></span><strong><br></strong></p>
<div dir="ltr"><span id="m_3402241521547220865gmail-docs-internal-guid-c335e6a1-b423-ba5f-22e5-1073be0170c8"> </span></div>
<p dir="ltr"><span class="m_3402241521547220865gmail-highlight"><span class="m_3402241521547220865gmail-colour"><span class="m_3402241521547220865gmail-font"><span class="m_3402241521547220865gmail-size">This morning, by 7:30 PST, 5 activists have successfully shut down 5 pipelines across the United States deliverying tar sands oil from Alberta, Canada in support of the call for International Days of Prayer and Action for Standing Rock. Activists employed manual safety valves, calling on President Obama to use emergency powers to keep the pipelines closed and mobilize for the extraordinary shift away from fossil fuels now required to avert catastrophe. </span></span></span></span></p>
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<p dir="ltr"><span class="m_3402241521547220865gmail-highlight"><span class="m_3402241521547220865gmail-colour"><span class="m_3402241521547220865gmail-font"><span class="m_3402241521547220865gmail-size">192 nations have agreed that average global temperature should not increase 1.5C° above baseline in order to avert climate change cataclysm. This objective cannot be met, and any hope of keeping temperature below even 2.0°C depends on a total ban on new fossil fuel extractions and an immediate end to oil sands and coal use. In the absence of any political leadership or legal mechanisms for accomplishing this, these individuals feel duty bound to halt the extraction and combustion of fossil fuels by personal direct action. </span></span></span></span></p>
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<p dir="ltr"><span class="m_3402241521547220865gmail-highlight"><span class="m_3402241521547220865gmail-colour"><span class="m_3402241521547220865gmail-font"><span class="m_3402241521547220865gmail-size"><strong>Ken Ward,</strong> 59, of Corbette OR said, "There is no plan of action, policy or strategy being advanced now by any political leader or environmental organization playing by the rules that does anything but acquiesce to ruin. Our only hope is to step outside polite conversation and put our bodies in the way. We must shut it down, starting with the most immediate threats -- oil sands fuels and coal."</span></span></span></span></p>
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<p dir="ltr"><span class="m_3402241521547220865gmail-highlight"><span class="m_3402241521547220865gmail-colour"><span class="m_3402241521547220865gmail-font"><span class="m_3402241521547220865gmail-size"><strong>Emily Johnston,</strong> 50, of Seattle WA said, "For years we’ve tried the legal, incremental, reasonable methods, and they haven’t been enough; without a radical shift in our relationship to Earth, all that we love will disappear. My fear of that possibility is far greater than my fear of jail. My love for the beauties of this world is far greater than my love of an easy life."</span></span></span></span></p>
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<p dir="ltr"><span class="m_3402241521547220865gmail-highlight"><span class="m_3402241521547220865gmail-colour"><span class="m_3402241521547220865gmail-font"><span class="m_3402241521547220865gmail-size"><strong>Annette Klapstein, </strong>64, of Bainbridge Island, WA said "Like mothers everywhere, I act from a deep love that extends to all children and young people, and all living beings on this planet. I have signed hundreds of petitions, testified at dozens of hearings, met with most of my political representatives at every level, to very little avail. I have come to believe that our current economic and political system is a death sentence to life on earth, and that I must do everything in my power to replace these systems with cooperative, just, equitable and love-centered ways of living together. This is my act of love."</span></span></span></span></p>
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<p dir="ltr"><span class="m_3402241521547220865gmail-highlight"><span class="m_3402241521547220865gmail-colour"><span class="m_3402241521547220865gmail-font"><span class="m_3402241521547220865gmail-size"><strong>Michael Foster</strong>, 52 of Seattle WA said, "I am here to generate action that wakes people up to the reality of what we are doing to life as we know it. All of our climate victories are meaningless if we don’t stop extracting oil, coal and gas now."</span></span></span></span></p>
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<p dir="ltr"><span class="m_3402241521547220865gmail-highlight"><span class="m_3402241521547220865gmail-colour"><span class="m_3402241521547220865gmail-font"><span class="m_3402241521547220865gmail-size"><strong>Leonard Higgins,</strong> 64, of Eugene, OR said, "Because of the climate change emergency, because governments and corporations have for decades increased fossil fuel extraction and carbon emissions when instead we must dramatically reduce carbon emissions; I am committed to the moral necessity of participating in nonviolent direct action to protect life." </span></span></span></span></p>
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<p dir="ltr"><span class="m_3402241521547220865gmail-highlight"><span class="m_3402241521547220865gmail-colour"><span class="m_3402241521547220865gmail-font"><span class="m_3402241521547220865gmail-size">More words from the activists here: </span></span></span></span><a href="http://www.shutitdown.today/activist_bios" target="_blank"><span class="m_3402241521547220865gmail-highlight"><span class="m_3402241521547220865gmail-colour"><span class="m_3402241521547220865gmail-font"><span class="m_3402241521547220865gmail-size">http://www.shutitdown.today/activist_bios</span></span></span></span></a></p>
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<p dir="ltr"><span class="m_3402241521547220865gmail-highlight"><span class="m_3402241521547220865gmail-colour"><span class="m_3402241521547220865gmail-font"><span class="m_3402241521547220865gmail-size"><strong>WHERE. </strong>Enbridge line 4 and 67, Leonard, MN; TransCanada’s Keystone pipeline, Walhalla, ND; Spectra Energy’s Express pipeline, Coal Banks Landing, MT; Kinder-Morgan’s Trans-Mountain pipeline, Anacortes, WA. </span></span></span></span></p>
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<p dir="ltr"><span class="m_3402241521547220865gmail-highlight"><span class="m_3402241521547220865gmail-colour"><span class="m_3402241521547220865gmail-font"><span class="m_3402241521547220865gmail-size"><strong>WHO.</strong> Climate Direct Action is Emily Johnson, 50 and Michael Foster, 52, of Seattle, WA, Annette Klapstein, 64, of Bainbridge Island, WA, Ken Ward, 59, of Corbett, OR, and Leonard Higgins, 64, of Eugene, Oregon, with the support of Climate Disobedience Action Fund.</span></span></span></span></p>
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<p dir="ltr"><span class="m_3402241521547220865gmail-highlight"><span class="m_3402241521547220865gmail-colour"><span class="m_3402241521547220865gmail-font"><span class="m_3402241521547220865gmail-size">Livestream videos and photos available on our </span></span></span></span><span class="m_3402241521547220865gmail-highlight"><span class="m_3402241521547220865gmail-colour"><span class="m_3402241521547220865gmail-font"><span class="m_3402241521547220865gmail-size"><span style="color: #000000;"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/climatedirectaction/" target="_blank">Facebook Page</a> and</span><span style="color: #1155cc;"> </span><a href="http://www.shutitdown.today/" target="_blank">www.shutitdown.today</a></span></span></span></span></p>
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</div>Tue, 11 Oct 2016 10:53:51 -0400Tim DeChristopherhttp://www.timdechristopher.org/breaking_tar_sands_pipeline_shut_down
Court Appearance and Planning for Mass Grave 6 Trial<p>I appeared in court in West Roxbury, MA today with my <a class="_58cn" href="https://www.twitter.com/hashtag/massgrave6"><span class="_58cl">#‎</span><span class="_58cm">MassGrave6</span></a> codefendants Nora Collins, Karenna Gore, Dave Publow, Sophia Wilansky and Callista Womick.</p>
<p>All six of us continue to refuse a plea bargain and are eager to take our case to a jury trial. Our next court appearance date has been set for September 6th.</p>
<p>Personally, I'm excited for a jury trial in which everyday people can decide if our actions were justified after hearing all the evidence of our government's inability to stop Spectra's assault against both West Roxbury and our global climate. Every elected official representing West Roxbury opposed this project, but they have been unable to stop it, so this is a clear case where civil disobedience is necessary to protect our communities.</p>Fri, 29 Jul 2016 17:48:00 -0400Tim DeChristopherhttp://www.timdechristopher.org/court_appearance_and_planning_for_mass_grave_6_trial
Please Welcome Our New Music Director Bryan Cahall<p> <img src="https://d3n8a8pro7vhmx.cloudfront.net/timdechristopher/pages/196/attachments/original/1468591958/DSC_1127.jpeg?1468591958" alt="DSC_1127.jpeg" /></p>
<p><span>Since the beginning days of Peaceful Uprising, music was a critical part of our organizing. At the most stressful juncture of organizing around my trial, we decided that we were just going to have some people singing outside the courthouse the whole time. Anything else would be bonus, but the core would be singing. So we started having song rehearsals instead of planning meetings. That practice of singing together brought us together and inspired us to do more than just have a few folks singing outside the courthouse. By the time of the trial there were nearly 3000 people singing in the street, with marches and trainings as well. </span></p>
<p><span>The power of music in movements seemed magic to me. Singing together literally brings us into harmony and reminds us that we are part of something much bigger than ourselves. That kind of empowerment is essential believing that we are powerful enough to challenge huge corporations and institutions. Music gets us out of our analytical heads and helps us process the powerful emotions like fear, joy, anger and hope that are inescapable in this work. Music reminds us of our values and principles while we fight for justice. Perhaps that’s why music has been the soul of so many social movements in our history.</span></p>
<p><span>But when I left Utah, I realized that the music in Peaceful Uprising didn’t actually happen magically. It happened because people with real musical talent like Lauren Wood, Ashley Anderson and Flora Bernard put in a lot of work to make it happen. When I tried to start a protest choir in Cambridge, folks would ask me things like, “What key is this song in?”, and I had no idea what they were talking about. Well, guess what? That effort quickly fell apart. Music in movements might feel like magic, but it turns out it takes skill and support just like all the other pieces of a movement. </span></p>
<p><span>That’s why I’m so excited that singer/songwriter Bryan Cahall will be joining me as my new music director. I first met Bryan after his powerful performance at Appalachia Rising in 2010. </span></p>
<p><iframe class="embedly-embed" src="//cdn.embedly.com/widgets/media.html?src=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.youtube.com%2Fembed%2FqUhyKXp0Xno%3Fwmode%3Dtransparent%26feature%3Doembed&amp;wmode=transparent&amp;url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.youtube.com%2Fwatch%3Fv%3DqUhyKXp0Xno&amp;image=https%3A%2F%2Fi.ytimg.com%2Fvi%2FqUhyKXp0Xno%2Fhqdefault.jpg&amp;key=e1208cbfb854483e8443b1ed081912ee&amp;type=text%2Fhtml&amp;schema=youtube" width="600" height="338" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe></p>
<p><span> We brought his song “Arise” back to our community in Utah, and a few months later thousands were singing it in the streets. </span></p>Fri, 08 Jul 2016 01:12:00 -0400Tim DeChristopherhttp://www.timdechristopher.org/welcome_to_new_music_director_bryan_cahall
Grief and Resistance: The Mass Grave Pipeline Action<p><iframe class="embedly-embed" src="//cdn.embedly.com/widgets/media.html?src=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.youtube.com%2Fembed%2F_kIy7l4T_mM%3Fwmode%3Dtransparent%26feature%3Doembed&amp;wmode=transparent&amp;url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.youtube.com%2Fwatch%3Fv%3D_kIy7l4T_mM&amp;image=https%3A%2F%2Fi.ytimg.com%2Fvi%2F_kIy7l4T_mM%2Fhqdefault.jpg&amp;key=e1208cbfb854483e8443b1ed081912ee&amp;type=text%2Fhtml&amp;schema=youtube" width="600" height="338" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe></p>
<p>In my trainings and workshops with activists, I always tell folks that we are most powerful when we are expressing our deepest personal truths. This week I took action to express the grief that has been weighing on my heart ever since I read about Pakistan digging mass graves in anticipation of their climate change induced heat waves last month. Even as someone who reads a lot of heartbreaking stories about climate change, the fact that we have now entered the age of anticipatory mass graves broke my heart in a whole new way.</p>
<p>When I saw the pictures of the long trench they dug as that mass grave, I realized it looked just like the trench that Spectra is digging through the West Roxbury neighborhood of Boston for a new high pressure fracked gas pipeline. I felt powerfully called to connect the dots between those two trenches and climb into the one in Boston to reflect on this new age of anticipatory mass graves. </p>
<p><a href="https://flic.kr/p/JA6DRY"><img src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7335/27952848046_e8acd055f5_z.jpg" border="0" height="480" width="640"></a></p>Sat, 02 Jul 2016 10:21:00 -0400Tim DeChristopherhttp://www.timdechristopher.org/grief_and_resistance_the_mass_grave_pipeline_action
Press Release: Symbolic Climate Mass Grave Funeral to #StopSpectra<p><a href="https://flic.kr/p/JDgTfx"><img src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7417/27988793695_a6aa6770c6_b.jpg" border="0" height="768" width="1024"></a></p>
<p>The following press release is from the June 29th action in West Roxbury, Boston, MA resulting in 23 arrests including Tim DeChristopher and Karenna Gore. Additional photos for media use are available at <a rel="nofollow" href="https://flic.kr/s/aHskDcoQPY" target="_blank">https://flic.kr/s/aHskDcoQPY</a>.</p>
<h3>FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE</h3>
<h3>12 CLERGY ARRESTED AT SYMBOLIC CLIMATE MASS GRAVE FUNERAL TO HALT CONSTRUCTION OF THE WEST ROXBURY LATERAL.</h3>
<p>23 total arrested, including Karrena Gore and Tim DeChristopher</p>
<p>West Roxbury, MA – 12 faith leaders and 11 others were arrested this afternoon [June 29, 2016] while peacefully blocking construction of the <a href="http://resistthepipeline.org/">West Roxbury Lateral pipeline</a>. Buddhist, Jewish, Protestant, and Unitarian clergy led a climate mass graves funeral, featuring eulogies, prayers, and mourning. After the funeral, some clergy and other resisters lay on the side of the trench, halting construction. Others got into the trench and lay down to simulate those who died this month from deadly heat waves in Pakistan and India and were buried in mass graves.</p>
<p>The action called attention to how the West Roxbury Lateral, like other new fossil fuel infrastructure, further locks us into deadly global climate change. As more studies point to the high rates of leaked methane from fracking and gas pipelines, the climate movement has doubled down on resistance to new fracked gas projects.</p>
<p>Among those lying in the trench was Karenna Gore, daughter of Vice President Al Gore and director of the Center for Earth Ethics at the Union Theological Seminary. She is the mother of three and came to join the action from her home in New York City.</p>
<p>Also lying in the trench was Tim DeChristopher, the climate activist who became famous as Bidder 70 when he disrupted a government oil and gas lease auction by posing as a buyer in the sale during 2008. He served 21 months in federal prison and his probation ended this past April.</p>
<p>This was his first act of civil disobedience since 2008.</p>
<p><img src="https://d3n8a8pro7vhmx.cloudfront.net/timdechristopher/pages/194/attachments/original/1467307846/DeChristopherEntrenched.jpg?1467307846" alt="DeChristopherEntrenched.jpg" /></p>
<p>“This is the age of anticipatory mass graves, and this pipeline trench is our anticipatory mass grave,” said Tim during a speech before being arrested.</p>Wed, 29 Jun 2016 23:34:00 -0400Peter Bowdenhttp://www.timdechristopher.org/press_release_symbolic_climate_mass_grave_funeral_to_stop_spectra
We Have Entered the Age of Anticipatory Mass Graves<p><iframe class="embedly-embed" src="//cdn.embedly.com/widgets/media.html?src=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.youtube.com%2Fembed%2FrW_vv94TRM4%3Fwmode%3Dtransparent%26feature%3Doembed&amp;wmode=transparent&amp;url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.youtube.com%2Fwatch%3Fv%3DrW_vv94TRM4&amp;image=https%3A%2F%2Fi.ytimg.com%2Fvi%2FrW_vv94TRM4%2Fhqdefault.jpg&amp;key=e1208cbfb854483e8443b1ed081912ee&amp;type=text%2Fhtml&amp;schema=youtube" width="600" height="338" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe><br><br> The video above features Tim DeChristopher's words from today's <span class="_58cn"><span class="_58cm">#StopSpectra</span></span> action in West Roxbury, MA. Tim, area clergy and others took action to focus attention on the fact that Spectra's new MASS fracked gas pipelines will lead to MASS graves abroad due to climate change and rising temperatures. This afternoon Tim and others climbed into Spectra's trenches and were later arrested. See <a class="profileLink" href="https://www.facebook.com/resistthepipeline/">Resist the West Roxbury Pipeline</a> for details. We'll be sharing more on this action once Tim is released.</p>
<p style="padding-left: 30px;"><em>"This is not just a pipeline trench. What they are digging is a mass grave, because in this age of anticipatory mass graves, we know that every new fossil fuel development that commits us to burning fossil fuels for decades, when we put in this infrastructure, we know that every new fossil fuel infrastructure will lead to another mass grave somewhere in the world."</em></p>
<p style="padding-left: 30px; text-align: right;"><em>- Tim DeChristopher</em></p>
<p>This is DeChristopher's first act of civil disobedience resulting in arrest following <span class="text_exposed_show">his notable <a href="http://timdechristopher.org/bidder_70">"Bidder 70" action</a>, arrest, nearly 2 year imprisonment, and 3 years of probation which ended this Spring. </span></p>
<p> </p>
<p><iframe class="embedly-embed" src="//cdn.embedly.com/widgets/media.html?src=https%3A%2F%2Fplayer.vimeo.com%2Fvideo%2F172830747&amp;wmode=transparent&amp;url=https%3A%2F%2Fvimeo.com%2F172830747&amp;image=http%3A%2F%2Fi.vimeocdn.com%2Fvideo%2F578801062_640.jpg&amp;key=e1208cbfb854483e8443b1ed081912ee&amp;type=text%2Fhtml&amp;schema=vimeo" width="600" height="338" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe></p>
<p>Video above by <a href="https://twitter.com/KoriFeener">Kori Feener.</a> Thanks for capturing the action!</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong>Full resolution photos for <a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/peterbowden/albums/72157670314896286">media use here.</a></strong></p>
<p><iframe class="embedly-embed" src="//cdn.embedly.com/widgets/media.html?src=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.youtube.com%2Fembed%2F_kIy7l4T_mM%3Fwmode%3Dtransparent%26feature%3Doembed&amp;wmode=transparent&amp;url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.youtube.com%2Fwatch%3Fv%3D_kIy7l4T_mM&amp;image=https%3A%2F%2Fi.ytimg.com%2Fvi%2F_kIy7l4T_mM%2Fhqdefault.jpg&amp;key=e1208cbfb854483e8443b1ed081912ee&amp;type=text%2Fhtml&amp;schema=youtube" width="600" height="338" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe></p>
<p><a href="https://flic.kr/p/Ju81Qw"><img src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7214/27885214742_77f64185be_z.jpg" border="0" height="480" width="640"></a></p>
<p><a href="https://flic.kr/p/JDa52B"><img src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7269/27987464165_d6ea53d8ac_z.jpg" border="0" height="480" width="640"></a></p>
<p><a href="https://flic.kr/p/JDgTfx"><img src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7417/27988793695_a6aa6770c6_b.jpg" border="0" height="768" width="1024"></a></p>
<p><a href="https://flic.kr/p/JDa5fn"><img src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7786/27987464905_55423df2fb_z.jpg" border="0" height="480" width="640"></a></p>
<p><a href="https://flic.kr/p/Ju81Yh"><img src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7348/27885215192_0f3e1df522_z.jpg" border="0" height="480" width="640"></a></p>
<p><a href="https://flic.kr/p/Ju822d"><img src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7782/27885215362_807be2801e_z.jpg" border="0" height="480" width="640"></a></p>
<p><strong>Full resolution photos for <a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/peterbowden/albums/72157670314896286">media use here.</a></strong> <strong>Slideshow below.</strong></p>
<p><iframe class="embedly-embed" src="//cdn.embedly.com/widgets/media.html?src=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.flickr.com%2Fapps%2Fslideshow%2Fshow.swf%3Fv%3D107931&amp;wmode=transparent&amp;fv=v%3D107931%26offsite%3Dtrue%26lang%3Den-us%26page_show_url%3D%252Fphotos%252Fpeterbowden%252Fsets%252F72157670314896286%252Fshow%252F%26page_show_back_url%3D%252Fphotos%252Fpeterbowden%252Fsets%252F72157670314896286%252F%26set_id%3D72157670314896286%26jump_to%3D&amp;url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.flickr.com%2Fphotos%2Fpeterbowden%2Fsets%2F72157670314896286%2F&amp;image=https%3A%2F%2Fc4.staticflickr.com%2F8%2F7374%2F27987463715_f44d29ae5c_z.jpg&amp;key=e1208cbfb854483e8443b1ed081912ee&amp;type=application%2Fx-shockwave-flash&amp;schema=flickr" width="600" height="338" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe></p>
<p> </p>Wed, 29 Jun 2016 19:43:00 -0400Peter Bowdenhttp://www.timdechristopher.org/climate_change_and_the_age_of_anticipatory_mass_graves
PRESS RELEASE: Albany, NY - Activists Successfully Blockade Bomb Train<p><em>Press release on yesterday's</em><em><em> </em><a href="http://www.albany2016.org">Break Free Albany</a> action. For additional press releases see the Albany 2016 <a href="http://www.albany2016.org/media/">media page.</a></em><em> Twitter coverage at <a href="http://www.twitter.com/BanBombTrains">@BanBombTrains</a> <em><em><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/albany2016">#Albany2016</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/BreakFree2016">#BreakFree2016</a></em></em>.</em></p>
<p><em></em><em></em><strong>***Activists Successfully Blockade Bomb Train***</strong></p>
<p>FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE<br>Contact: Aly JohnsonKurts<br>media@albany2016.org<br>(802) 595-9593<br><br>ln an action that caught county officials off guard, two climbers suspended themselves from train tracks on a railroad bridge that crosses the Watervliet Reservoir. They successfully blockaded a train from North Dakota carrying fracked crude oil, also known as a “bomb train” because of its explosive nature.<br><br>The climbers and climate activists – Marissa Shea and Maeve McBride – had climb lines that crossed the tracks in a way which would cause them to fall and be injured if a train were to run over their ropes. Their lives were literally on the line.<br><br>The activists describe their efforts as enforcing the public trust doctrine which requires that vital natural resources, in this case the atmosphere, on which human wel being depend must be cared for by our own governments for the benefit of present and future generations.<br><br>"The global climate system, on which every human depends, is no longer stable because our governments have utterly failed us. So now, for our survival, we will act on climate ourselves," said Marissa Shea.<br><br>The activists demand that the business as usual economy, which is currently reliant on fossil fuels,must be transformed into a new fossil free economy that is just and equitable, a just transition.<br><br>"Most of my family lives within a few miles of where the bomb trains travel. This is personal and global. Their lives are at risk and millions of lives are at risk with rising seas, forest fires, violent storms, and all the havoc that global warming brings," said Maeve McBride, who grew up in Troy."Today I felt called to directly obstruct the fossil fuel industry joining thousands of others around the world.<br><br>"Maeve, Marissa, and 3 of their support team were arrested after successfully stopping the train. This action is a part of an escalation called Break Free, where organizations across the world are taking action in response to rapidly unfolding climate change.</p>
<hr>
<p><em>Break Free Albany is organized by a volunteer coalition of over 100 groups – including global groups such as <a rel="nofollow" href="http://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2F350.org%2F&amp;h=VAQFFccMUAQFAFw9mmsb2HxJeCsATSeMDkNd1f-cCMkbf_g&amp;enc=AZOka4mVeXOdIIftabtM-YCeC2ctVjjgz_YoRXtC5V7KHY1OG8VDnj79vsUKAVbNFXD7kfzvMAhSBS20wnb5w4h3PZFvUqJWV4awBTNnhMcn9iYXQ14hvXZsJzE5jgd_1WgRyLYgkWi3kgspYNiPCXgq_I6xaU0x5_5JuKPS1PEZFUa4z9jT13deNOUVys04abI&amp;s=1" target="_blank">350.org</a>, statewide organizations like Citizen Action of NY, and local community organizations like A Village, Inc. in the South End of Albany.</em><br><em><a href="http://www.albany2016.org/">www.albany2016.org</a></em></p>
<p> </p>Sun, 15 May 2016 15:18:00 -0400Peter Bowdenhttp://www.timdechristopher.org/albany_ny_activists_successfully_blockade_bomb_train
PRESS RELEASE: Thousands Converged in Albany to Blockade Bomb Trains<div style="text-align: left;" dir="ltr">
<p><em>Press release on</em><em><em> </em><a href="http://www.albany2016.org">Break Free Albany</a> action March 14, 2016. For additional press releases see the Albany 2016 <a href="http://www.albany2016.org/media/">media page.</a></em><em> Twitter coverage at <a href="http://www.twitter.com/BanBombTrains">@BanBombTrains</a> <em><em><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/albany2016">#Albany2016</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/BreakFree2016">#BreakFree2016</a></em></em>.</em></p>
<p><em>Update 5/15/16 <a href="http://www.timdechristopher.org/albany_ny_activists_successfully_blockade_bomb_train">Press Release: Albany, NY - Activists Successfully Blockade Bomb Train</a></em></p>
</div>
<div style="text-align: left;" dir="ltr"><strong>***Thousands Converged in Albany to Blockade Bomb Trains***</strong></div>
<div><span><span> </span></span></div>
<div dir="ltr"><span>FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE</span></div>
<div dir="ltr"><span>Contact: Aly Johnson-Kurts</span></div>
<div dir="ltr"><span><a href="mailto:media@albany2016.org" target="_blank">media@albany2016.org</a></span></div>
<div dir="ltr"><span><a target="_blank">(802) 595-9593</a></span></div>
<div><span><span> </span></span></div>
<div dir="ltr">
<span><em>Albany, NY</em> –</span><span> Over 1,500 people gathered this morning at Lincoln Park in Albany to call for an end to fossil fuel industry violations of community health and safety. From Lincoln Park, the rally-goers split into two groups, with nearly 500 people marching to the Ezra Prentice Homes affordable housing community, which sits just feet from the tracks that run the oil-by-rail “bomb trains”, and over 1,000 marching to blockade the Port of Albany rail tracks.</span>
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<div dir="ltr"></div>
<div dir="ltr">
<a href="http://www.timdechristopher.org/albany_ny_activists_successfully_blockade_bomb_train"><span>Another crew of activists successfully blockaded a bomb tra</span><span>i</span></a><span><a href="http://www.timdechristopher.org/albany_ny_activists_successfully_blockade_bomb_train">n</a> going to the Port of Albany from North Dakota by suspending themselves such that if a train were to pass it would cut their ropes, which were crossed on the tracks, causing them to fall.</span><span> Five people were arrested. All of the actions were part of the global movement against fossil fuels called “Break Free”, which includes over 20 actions on 6 continents. The Albany actions were organized by a coalition of over 100 groups.</span>
</div>
<div><span><span> </span></span></div>
<div dir="ltr"><span>Speakers at the Lincoln Park rally included emcee Marc Johnson, an organizer of Break Free and a third generation pastor at the Greater St. John’s Church of God In Christ in the South End of Albany, Albany Common Councilmember Vivian Kornegay, who represents the Ezra Prentice Homes and other affected communities in Ward 1, and Iris Marie Bloom, a long-time anti-fracking advocate with the Coalition Against Pilgrim Pipeline. The speakers highlighted the environmental racism of the siting of the trains, as the majority of those in the half-mile last zone of the tracks are Black and Brown low-income communities of color.</span></div>
<div><span><span> </span></span></div>
<div dir="ltr"><span>“We ALL deserve clean water, we ALL deserve clean air,” said Marc Johnson, speaking to the disproportionate impact on people of color. Ariela Perez-Wallach, a co-founder of Black Lives Matter Upstate NY also spoke to the issue of environmental racism, saying, “Black Lives Matter stands against all forms of racism, especially environmental racism, which has stolen our health and many times our lives. We cannot afford to wait: white supremacy and climate change operate hand in hand.”</span></div>
<div><span><span> </span></span></div>
<div dir="ltr"><span>Miss Charlene Benton, President of the Ezra Prentice Homes Tenants’ Association said, “It’s really, really time that this unification to be going on. And that is the most important thing that I think we’ll get out of this. We’re not going to stop. We’re not going to back down. We’re going to stand up. And we’re going to fight together. Until we win. And we can’t lose. It’s a long struggle, but I think that we are making some progress. We’re not going to be cremated without permission.”</span></div>
<div><span><span> </span></span></div>
<div dir="ltr"><span>The organizers called for an end to to all new fossil fuel infrastructure, including pipelines, power plants, compressor stations, and storage tanks. This includes the Pilgrim Pipelines, which, if built, would increase bomb train traffic into Albany. To keep global temperature rise below 1.5 degrees celsius, it is necessary to keep 80-90% of the known fossil fuel reserves in the ground.</span></div>
<div><span><span> </span></span></div>
<div dir="ltr"><span>Additionally, the organizers are calling for a just transition away from fossil fuel energy, where no worker is left behind. Retraining must be provided for workers – for example, oil and gas pipeline workers could go to work repairing the nation’s crumbling water pipeline infrastructure, and oil rail workers could be employed in the growing passenger rail industry.</span></div>
<hr>
<p><em>Break Free Albany is organized by a volunteer coalition of over 100 groups – including global groups such as <a rel="nofollow" href="http://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2F350.org%2F&amp;h=VAQFFccMUAQFAFw9mmsb2HxJeCsATSeMDkNd1f-cCMkbf_g&amp;enc=AZOka4mVeXOdIIftabtM-YCeC2ctVjjgz_YoRXtC5V7KHY1OG8VDnj79vsUKAVbNFXD7kfzvMAhSBS20wnb5w4h3PZFvUqJWV4awBTNnhMcn9iYXQ14hvXZsJzE5jgd_1WgRyLYgkWi3kgspYNiPCXgq_I6xaU0x5_5JuKPS1PEZFUa4z9jT13deNOUVys04abI&amp;s=1" target="_blank">350.org</a>, statewide organizations like Citizen Action of NY, and local community organizations like A Village, Inc. in the South End of Albany.</em><br><em><a href="http://www.albany2016.org/">www.albany2016.org</a></em></p>
<p> </p>Sun, 15 May 2016 14:34:00 -0400Peter Bowdenhttp://www.timdechristopher.org/break_free_2016_thousands_converged_in_albany_to_blockade_bomb_trains
West Coast #LetGoandLove Screenings and Workshops with Tim DeChristopher<p dir="ltr">On the West Coast? Join Tim DeChristopher, Josh Fox and musical guest Gabriel Mayers for screenings of Josh's new film <a href="http://howtoletgomovie.com/">How to Let Go of the World and Love All The Things Climate Can't Change.</a></p>
<p dir="ltr">Tim will also be doing <strong>workshops for local activists</strong> while in town for most of screenings. See screening and workshop schedule below. Pay close attention to dates, don't get your screenings and workshops confused as they are different events. RSVP requested for all events. </p>
<p dir="ltr"><img src="https://d3n8a8pro7vhmx.cloudfront.net/timdechristopher/pages/190/attachments/original/1463068160/westcoasttourposter.jpg?1463068160" alt="West Coast Tour Poster" /> </p>
<p dir="ltr"><strong>Let Go and Love Film Screenings &amp; Workshops</strong></p>
<p dir="ltr">All screenings are free except where noted.</p>
<ul>
<li>
<strong>May 12 – Let Go and Love Screening<a href="http://www.solutionsgrassroots.com/r?u=http%3A%2F%2Fgoo.gl%2Fforms%2FPvrkxPcbml&amp;e=f5be62d63b0f00e546faed91a08bbe67&amp;utm_source=solutionsgrassroots&amp;utm_medium=email&amp;utm_campaign=new_dates&amp;n=4"><br></a></strong> <span class="docssharedWizToggleLabeledLabelText freebirdFormviewerViewItemsCheckboxLabel">Berkeley, CA, Thursday, May 12, 7:00pm (doors open 6:30)<br>La Peña Cultural Center, 3105 Shattuck Ave</span><br>Josh Fox, Tim DeChristopher and musical guest Gabriel Mayers.<br><a href="https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1KSZX7f4K-5IcAEn_aeAHQCDJFesmgBVL7URsR8xDk00/viewform?c=0&amp;w=1">Screening RSVP Form</a><br><br>
</li>
<li>
<strong>May 13 - Workshop with Tim DeChristopher</strong> <br>Amazon Watch office, 1pm<br><span class="_Xbe">2201 Broadway, Oakland, CA 94612</span><br><a href="http://goo.gl/forms/t0Dqkhe3NX">Workshop RSVP Form</a><br><br>
</li>
<li>
<strong>May 14 – Let Go and Love Screening</strong><br><span class="docssharedWizToggleLabeledLabelText freebirdFormviewerViewItemsCheckboxLabel">Chico, CA, Saturday, May 14, 4:00pm<br> The First Christian Church Chico, 295 E Washington Ave</span><br>Josh Fox, Tim DeChristopher and musical guest Gabriel Mayers.<br><a href="https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1KSZX7f4K-5IcAEn_aeAHQCDJFesmgBVL7URsR8xDk00/viewform?c=0&amp;w=1">Screening RSVP Form</a><br><br>
</li>
<li>
<strong>May 15 - Workshop with Tim DeChristopher</strong><br> 11am at <a href="http://chico-peace.org/">Chico Peace and Justice Center</a>.<br><span class="_Xbe">526 Broadway St, Chico, CA 95928<br></span><a href="https://www.facebook.com/events/1697298020558687/">Facebook Event</a><a href="http://goo.gl/forms/KrLcXbYVHv"><br>Workshop RSVP Form</a> <br><br>
</li>
<li>
<strong>May 15 – Let Go and Love Screening</strong><br><span class="docssharedWizToggleLabeledLabelText freebirdFormviewerViewItemsCheckboxLabel">Ashland, OR, Sunday, May 15, 3:30pm, <br>Meese Auditorium at Southern Oregon University, Art Building</span><br>Josh Fox, Tim DeChristopher and musical guest Gabriel Mayers.<br><a href="https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1KSZX7f4K-5IcAEn_aeAHQCDJFesmgBVL7URsR8xDk00/viewform?c=0&amp;w=1">Screening RSVP Form<br></a>
</li>
<li>
<strong>May 16- Let Go and Love Screening</strong><br><span class="docssharedWizToggleLabeledLabelText freebirdFormviewerViewItemsCheckboxLabel">Eugene, OR, Monday, May 16, 7:00pm<br>First United Methodist Church, 1376 Olive St</span> <br>Josh Fox, Tim DeChristopher and musical guest Gabriel Mayers.<br><a href="https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1KSZX7f4K-5IcAEn_aeAHQCDJFesmgBVL7URsR8xDk00/viewform?c=0&amp;w=1">Screening RSVP Form</a><br><br>
</li>
<li>
<p id="docs-internal-guid-a7df7916-a62a-ba3e-57e6-52956135829f" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" dir="ltr"><strong>May 16 <strong>- Workshop with Tim DeChristopher</strong><br></strong>10am - Noon at the Ashland United Church of Christ<br> 717 Siskiyou Blvd, Ashland, OR 97520<br>Sponsors: Southern Oregon Rising Tide, and Stand Up for Oregon: No LNG, No Pipeline, Ashland United Church of Christ <br><a href="http://bit.ly/TimWorkshopAshland">Workshop RSVP Form</a><br><br></p>
</li>
<li>
<p dir="ltr"><strong><strong> May 17 - Workshop with Tim DeChristopher<br></strong></strong>University Oregon Campus, <span class="_Xbe">Eugene, OR 97403</span><br> Room: Esslinger 116<br> Sponsored by Divest UO and the Climate Justice League<br>RSVP via <a href="https://www.facebook.com/events/138355676569986">Facebook Event<br></a></p>
</li>
<li>
<strong>May 17 – <strong>Let Go and Love Screening<br></strong></strong><strong></strong>Portland, Oregon<br>Cinema 21, 616 NW 21st, Ave Portland, OR<br> Josh Fox, Tim DeChristopher and musical guest Gabriel Mayers.<br><strong><a href="https://app.arts-people.com/index.php?show=64854">TICKETS REQUIRED<br><br></a></strong>
</li>
<li>
<strong>May 18 – <strong>Let Go and Love Screening<br></strong></strong><strong></strong>Portland, Oregon<br>Cinema 21, 616 NW 21st, Ave Portland, OR<br> Josh Fox, Tim DeChristopher and musical guest Gabriel Mayers.<br><strong><a href="https://app.arts-people.com/index.php?show=64854">TICKETS REQUIRED<br><br></a></strong>
</li>
<li>
<strong><span class="aBn"><span class="aQJ">May </span></span>19 - Workshop with Tim DeChristopher</strong><br> Portland, OR 10am - noon<br>First Unitarian Church downtown (1211 SW Main St)<br>
<div><a href="http://goo.gl/forms/4nNJjmeynL">Workshop RSVP Form</a></div>
</li>
</ul>
<p dir="ltr"> </p>
<p dir="ltr">Learn more about the movie at <a href="http://howtoletgomovie.com/">howtoletgomovie.com<br></a>This tour funded by the Let Go and Love Kickstarter</p>
<p dir="ltr"><iframe class="embedly-embed" src="//cdn.embedly.com/widgets/media.html?src=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.youtube.com%2Fembed%2FhEM6Fg99e7E%3Fstart%3D24%26wmode%3Dtransparent%26feature%3Doembed%26start%3D24&amp;wmode=transparent&amp;url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.youtube.com%2Fwatch%3Fv%3DhEM6Fg99e7E&amp;image=https%3A%2F%2Fi.ytimg.com%2Fvi%2FhEM6Fg99e7E%2Fhqdefault.jpg&amp;key=e1208cbfb854483e8443b1ed081912ee&amp;type=text%2Fhtml&amp;schema=youtube" width="600" height="338" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe></p>
<p dir="ltr">In this new film, Oscar Nominated director Josh Fox continues in his deeply personal style, investigating climate change the greatest threat our world has ever known. The film acknowledges that it may be too late to stop some of the worst consequences and asks, what is so deep within us that no calamity can take it away?</p>
<p dir="ltr"> </p>
<p> </p>Thu, 12 May 2016 16:16:00 -0400Peter Bowdenhttp://www.timdechristopher.org/tim_dechristopher_may_2016_west_coast_film_tour_with_josh_fox
PA Township Legalizes Civil Disobedience<div class="page" title="Page 1"><em>This is a press release from the Community Environmental Legal Defense Fund about a groundbreaking strategy of resistance by a small Pennsylvania town trying to defend itself from the fossil fuel industry.</em></div>
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<p style="padding-left: 30px;"><strong><a title="View / Download Press Release PDF" href="https://d3n8a8pro7vhmx.cloudfront.net/timdechristopher/pages/189/attachments/original/1462368772/PRESS_RELEASE_Grant_Twp_NVDA_050316_FINAL.pdf?1462368772">PRESS RELEASE: <strong>Pennsylvania Township Legalizes Civil Disobedience</strong> (PDF)</a></strong></p>
<p style="padding-left: 30px;"><a href="https://d3n8a8pro7vhmx.cloudfront.net/timdechristopher/pages/189/attachments/original/1462369094/Grant_DA_Ordinance_Final.pdf?1462369094"><strong>ORDINANCE: ESTABLISHING A RIGHT TO BE FREE FROM PROSECUTION FOR NONVIOLENT DIRECT ACTION (PDF) </strong></a></p>
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<p><strong><br>FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE </strong></p>
<p>May 3, 2016</p>
<p><strong>CONTACT:</strong><br><strong> Chad Nicholson, Pennsylvania Community Organizer 207.541.3649</strong><br><strong> chad@celdf.org </strong></p>
<p><strong>Stacy Long, Grant Township Supervisor 724.840.7214 lemonphone28@gmail.com </strong></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><strong>Pennsylvania Township Legalizes Civil Disobedience –</strong><br><strong> Ready to Stop Company from Injecting Frack Wastewater into their Community </strong></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><strong>New Law Shields People from Arrest for Protesting Project </strong></p>
<p>Grant Township, Indiana County, PA: Tonight, Grant Township Supervisors passed a first-in-the- nation law that legalizes nonviolent direct action to stop frack wastewater injection wells within the Township. Pennsylvania General Energy Company (PGE) has sued the Township to overturn a local democratically-enacted law that prohibits injection wells.</p>
<p>If a court does not uphold the people’s right to stop corporate activities threatening the well-being of the community, the ordinance codifies that, “any natural person may then enforce the rights and prohibitions of the charter through direct action.” Further, the ordinance states that any nonviolent direct action to enforce their Charter is protected, “prohibit[ing] any private or public actor from bringing criminal charges or filing any civil or other criminal action against those participating in nonviolent direct action.”</p>
<p>Grant Township Supervisor Stacy Long explained, "We're tired of being told by corporations and our so-called environmental regulatory agencies that we can't stop this injection well! This isn't a game. We're being threatened by a corporation with a history of permit violations, and that corporation wants to dump toxic frack wastewater into our Township."</p>
<p>Long continued, "I live here, and I was also elected to protect the health and safety of this Township. I will do whatever it takes to provide our residents with the tools and protections they need to nonviolently resist aggressions like those being proposed by PGE."</p>
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<p>In 2013, residents in Grant Township learned that PGE was applying for permits that would legalize the injection well. Despite hearings, public comments, and permit appeals demonstrating the residents' opposition to the project, the federal Environmental Protection Agency issued a permit to PGE.</p>
<p>Finding themselves with no other options, residents requested the help of the Community Environmental Legal Defense Fund (CELDF). Grant Township Supervisors, with broad community support, passed a CELDF-drafted Community Bill of Rights ordinance in June 2014. The ordinance established rights to clean air and water, the right to local community self-government, and the rights of nature. The proposed injection well is prohibited as a violation of those rights.</p>
<p>PGE promptly sued the Township, claiming that it had a "right" to inject within the Township.</p>
<p>The case is ongoing. Last year, in October 2015, the judge invalidated parts of the ordinance, stating that the Township lacked authority to ban injection wells. Three weeks later, in November 2015, residents voted in a new <a href="http://celdf.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/Grant-Township-Community-Rights-Home-Rule-Charter.pdf">Home Rule Charter</a>. The rights-based Charter reinstated the ban on injection wells by a 2-to-1 vote, overriding the judge's decision.</p>
<p>CELDF assisted the community with the drafting of the Charter and is representing the Township in the ongoing litigation with PGE.</p>
<p>Grant Township Supervisor and Chairman Jon Perry summed up the situation by saying, "Sides need to be picked. Should a polluting corporation have the right to inject toxic waste, or should a community have the right to protect itself?"</p>
<p>Perry continued, "I was elected to serve this community, and to protect the rights in our Charter voted in by the people I represent. If we have to physically and nonviolently stop the trucks from coming in because the courts fail us, we will do so. And we invite others to stand with us."</p>
<p>Those others are showing up. Tim DeChristopher, co-founder of the Climate Disobedience Center, stated, “I’m encouraged to see an entire community and its elected officials asserting their rights to defend their community from the assaults of the fossil fuel industry, and I know there are plenty of folks in the climate movement ready to stand with Grant Township.”</p>
<p>CELDF community organizer Chad Nicholson has been working with the community since 2014. He added, "In our country's history, we celebrate people standing up to challenge unjust laws. The American Revolution, abolition, women's suffrage, the labor and civil rights movements, marriage equality - all required people to take action resisting illegitimate laws. All required creating new and more just laws in their place. We applaud the people of Grant Township for taking action as their community is threatened, and asserting their rights. It is an honor to stand with them."</p>
<p>If you are interested in supporting the efforts in Grant Township, please contact Stacy Long, lemonphone28@gmail.com or 724.840.7214.</p>
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<p><strong>Update-- Here is the ordinance itself:</strong></p>
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<p style="text-align: center;"><span>Grant Township </span></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><span>Ordinance No. _____-2016 </span></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><span>E</span><span>STABLISHING A </span><span>R</span><span>IGHT TO BE </span><span>F</span><span>REE FROM </span><span>P</span><span>ROSECUTION FOR </span><span>N</span><span>ONVIOLENT </span><span>D</span><span>IRECT </span><span>A</span><span>CTION </span><span>C</span><span>ARRIED </span><span>O</span><span>UT TO </span><span>E</span><span>NFORCE THE </span><span>G</span><span>RANT </span><span>T</span><span>OWNSHIP </span><span>H</span><span>OME </span><span>R</span><span>ULE </span><span>C</span><span>HARTER</span><span>’</span><span>S </span><span>R</span><span>IGHTS AND </span><span>P</span><span>ROHIBITIONS</span><span>; L</span><span>EGALIZING </span><span>N</span><span>ONVIOLENT </span><span>C</span><span>IVIL </span><span>D</span><span>ISOBEDIENCE TO </span><span>A</span><span>CTIVITIES </span><span>A</span><span>UTHORIZED BY </span><span>I</span><span>LLEGITIMATE </span><span>S</span><span>TATE AND </span><span>F</span><span>EDERAL </span><span>L</span><span>AWS AND </span><span>C</span><span>OURT </span><span>R</span><span>ULINGS THAT </span><span>V</span><span>IOLATE THE </span><span>R</span><span>IGHTS AND </span><span>P</span><span>ROHIBITIONS OF THE </span><span>G</span><span>RANT </span><span>T</span><span>OWNSHIP </span><span>H</span><span>OME </span><span>R</span><span>ULE </span><span>C</span><span>HARTER </span></p>
<p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Section 1. Authority. </span></strong><span>The Grant Township Board of Supervisors, on behalf of the people of Grant Township, adopt this Ordinance pursuant to the inherent authority of the people of Grant of local, community self-government, section 109 of the Grant Township home rule charter, and the authority of the people of Grant as recognized by the Pennsylvania Constitution’s Declaration of Rights, the United States Constitution, and the principles codified by the Declaration of Independence. </span></p>
<p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>Section 2. Right to Directly Enforce People’s Rights. </strong></span><span>If a court fails to uphold the Grant Township home rule charter’s limitations on corporate power, or otherwise fails to uphold the rights secured by Article One of the charter, the rights and prohibitions secured by the charter shall not be affected by that judicial failure, and any natural person may then enforce the rights and prohibitions of the charter through direct action. If enforcement through nonviolent direct action is commenced, this law shall prohibit any private or public actor from bringing criminal charges or filing any civil or other criminal action against those participating in nonviolent direct action. If filed in violation of this provision, the applicable court must dismiss the action promptly, without further filings being required of nonviolent direct action participants. “Nonviolent direct action” as used by this provision shall mean any nonviolent activities or actions carried out to directly enforce the rights and prohibitions contained within the Grant Township home rule charter. </span></p>
<p><span>ENACTED AND ORDAINED </span><span>this ___ day of __________, 2016, by the Grant Township Board of Township Supervisors. </span></p>
<p><span>By: ________________________________ </span></p>
<pre><span>________________________________
________________________________
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<p><span>Attest: __________________________ </span></p>
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</div>Wed, 04 May 2016 08:12:00 -0400Tim DeChristopherhttp://www.timdechristopher.org/pa_town_legalizes_civil_disobedience
Coping with the Reality of Climate Change - Tim DeChristopher and Chris Hedges<p><img src="https://d3n8a8pro7vhmx.cloudfront.net/timdechristopher/pages/188/attachments/original/1461865425/DeChristopher_Hayes_DaysofRevolt.jpg?1461865425" alt="Tim DeChristopher and Chris Hayes - Days of Revoltjpg" /></p>
<p>Watch Tim's powerful discussion on the realities of climate change with Chris Hedges. </p>
<p>They explore the spiritual dimension of facing the horrific consequences of a 1.5C to 5C increase in average global temperature, the human impacts, wrestling with grief, and the adaptive advantage of cooperation as these consequences unfold. </p>
<p><strong class="watch-time-text"></strong><em><a href="http://multimedia.telesurtv.net/v/days-of-revolt-537674/">In this episode of Days of Revolt</a>, Chris Hedges interviews climate change activist Tim DeChristopher about the deadly failure of industrial world to confront the effects of climate change. The two discuss how climate change has, and continues to trigger social tension and injustice, and the necessary ethical response on the part of humanity as a whole.</em></p>
<p><iframe class="embedly-embed" src="//cdn.embedly.com/widgets/media.html?src=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.youtube.com%2Fembed%2F1Nmy2uVb39I%3Fwmode%3Dtransparent%26feature%3Doembed&amp;wmode=transparent&amp;url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.youtube.com%2Fwatch%3Fv%3D1Nmy2uVb39I&amp;image=https%3A%2F%2Fi.ytimg.com%2Fvi%2F1Nmy2uVb39I%2Fhqdefault.jpg&amp;key=e1208cbfb854483e8443b1ed081912ee&amp;type=text%2Fhtml&amp;schema=youtube" width="600" height="338" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe></p>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p dir="ltr" lang="en">In this episode of <a href="https://twitter.com/teleSURtv">@teleSURtv</a>'s Days of Revolt, <a href="https://twitter.com/ChrisLynnHedges">@ChrisLynnHedges</a> interviews climate change activist <a href="https://twitter.com/dechristopher">@dechristopher</a>: <a href="https://t.co/x8fyeLar4P">https://t.co/x8fyeLar4P</a></p>
— The Real News (@TheRealNews) <a href="https://twitter.com/TheRealNews/status/725440662682886144">April 27, 2016</a>
</blockquote>Thu, 28 Apr 2016 16:02:00 -0400Peter Bowdenhttp://www.timdechristopher.org/coping_with_the_reality_of_climate_change
After Bidder 70 - A New Chapter <p dir="ltr"><img src="https://d3n8a8pro7vhmx.cloudfront.net/timdechristopher/pages/187/attachments/original/1461353591/bidder70.png?1461353591" alt="Bidder 70 Poster" /></p>
<p dir="ltr"> </p>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p dir="ltr" lang="en">This week I finished my probation and my partner Meghan finished her Phd. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Freedom?src=hash">#Freedom</a></p>
— Tim DeChristopher (@dechristopher) <a href="https://twitter.com/dechristopher/status/723233295388033025">April 21, 2016</a>
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<p dir="ltr"> </p>
<p dir="ltr">This week was the<strong> official end of my federal probation</strong>, after seven years of being under the control of the Department of Justice. This release marks the end of the Bidder 70 chapter of my life and feels like the beginning of a new chapter for my work.</p>
<p dir="ltr">At this momentous turning point, I want to share this reflection on the direction of my activism and to ask for your support.<br><br>A lot of my work still involves civil disobedience against the fossil fuel industry, such as the training and strategizing that I’ll be doing May 7-12th at the Keep It In the Ground action camp in Colorado. But I’m also engaging in a variety of efforts to deepen the spiritual resilience of all of us who do this critical work for climate justice. I’ve been trying to catalyze that conversation in faith communities, secular activist communities and with students and young people. </p>
<p dir="ltr"><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/rainforestactionnetwork/20826274674/in/album-72157658650383202/"><img src="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5624/20826274674_cf55ee62f8_b.jpg" border="0" height="683" width="1024"></a></p>
<p dir="ltr"><em>Tim DeChristopher speaks on behalf of the Climate Disobedience Center at the Keep It In the Ground press conference</em><em> </em><em>in front of the White House as a coalition of more than 400 organizations and leaders deliver a historic letter to the White House calling on President Obama to stop new federal fossil fuel leasing on public lands and oceans in the United States.</em></p>
<p dir="ltr"><br>I’ve found myself in a uniquely independent role in the climate movement, in part because of my unusual path to influence through an individual act of high-profile civil disobedience. I work with organizations and institutions like the Climate Disobedience Center, Unitarian Universalist churches, and the Keep It In the Ground campaign, but I’m not working<em> for</em> any of those entities. That unique role allows me to push the boundaries, experiment, take risks, and make mistakes. <br><br><strong>I think the foundation of a social movement needs to be in organizations and institutions, but I think there is also a critical role for a few independent movement catalysts who can say and do the things that established groups cannot. I have found myself in that position, and I think it is important that I can keep serving that role. <br><br></strong>That’s why I need your support. I’ve decided the best way to fund my work and maintain my integrity as an independent activist is to <a href="http://timdechristopher.org/sustainers">build my own network of supporters </a>who can contribute $5, $10 or $20 a month so I can continue to push the boundaries of this movement.<br><br>A lot of my efforts at empowering a culture of resilience and resistance don’t fit into traditional funding structures. Sometimes the truths I need to speak don’t have direct “deliverables” or “measurables,” but need to be spoken anyway. It has always been important for me to maintain my accountability to the broader climate movement, to my principles, and to future generations, rather than to funders. <br><br>An independent network of sustainers allows me to pursue whatever opportunities or engagements I think are going to be effective at moving us toward a more just world, regardless of whether the communities I’m working with can afford to pay me. </p>
<p dir="ltr">I know that requires a certain level of trust in my judgement and integrity, and I hope that after seven and a half years in the spotlight, I have built up enough folks who trust me that I can sustain my work. If you are one of those folks who trust me to do the work that I am called to do, <a href="http://www.timdechristopher.org/sustainers">please sign up here</a> to pledge your support.<br><br>Your donation will be considered a gift, and received with gratitude. It won’t be considered a purchase or investment to be received with obligations. I deeply appreciate any money you can donate, but not so much that I would prioritize the interests of those who give money over those who are just being born into a broken world. <br><br>If you know of other folks who are familiar with my work and would be interested in supporting me, please share this post with them and encourage them to donate. <br><br>Every bit of support helps. Most important is to know if you value my work enough to help fund it. If so, <a href="http://www.timdechristopher.org/sustainers">please become one of my monthly sustainers.</a> <br><br>Thanks for reading and for being a part of this journey with me.<br> <br class="kix-line-break">Tim</p>
<p dir="ltr"><em>This post was adapted from my Friday email briefing for April 22, 2016. To receive weekly email updates on my work and activism <a title="Subscribe to Tim's Weekly Briefs" href="http://www.timdechristopher.org/join">subscribe here</a>.</em></p>
<p dir="ltr"><iframe class="embedly-embed" src="//cdn.embedly.com/widgets/media.html?src=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.youtube.com%2Fembed%2FWCpBkbGS-jY%3Fwmode%3Dtransparent%26feature%3Doembed&amp;wmode=transparent&amp;url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.youtube.com%2Fwatch%3Fv%3DWCpBkbGS-jY&amp;image=https%3A%2F%2Fi.ytimg.com%2Fvi%2FWCpBkbGS-jY%2Fhqdefault.jpg&amp;key=e1208cbfb854483e8443b1ed081912ee&amp;type=text%2Fhtml&amp;schema=youtube" width="600" height="338" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe></p>Mon, 25 Apr 2016 08:44:00 -0400Tim DeChristopherhttp://www.timdechristopher.org/a_new_chapter
Climate One: Fighting Fossil Fuels All the Way to Prison<div><span style="font-family: Verdana;"><strong><img src="https://d3n8a8pro7vhmx.cloudfront.net/timdechristopher/pages/186/attachments/original/1459870169/ClimateOne_FightingFossilFuel.png?1459870169" alt="Climate One Event " /></strong></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;"><strong><br></strong>The audio from Climate One's event "Fighting Fossil Fuels All the Way to Prison" featuring </span></span><span style="font-family: Verdana;">Tim DeChristopher, </span><span style="font-family: Verdana;">Georgia Hirsty and </span>Brendon Steele <span style="font-family: Verdana;">is now available. </span>
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<li><span style="font-family: Verdana;">Audio and Transcript on <a href="https://climateone.org/audio/fighting-fossil-fuels-all-way-prison" target="_blank">Climate One Website</a> </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana;">Audio of this talk via the <a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/fighting-fossil-fuels-all/id296762605?i=362003797&amp;mt=2">Climate One Podcast</a></span></li>
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<div><strong><span>Event Description</span></strong></div>
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<div><span style="font-family: Verdana;">How far would you go to get the message out about climate change? Recently at The Commonwealth Club, Climate One founder Greg Dalton was joined by two guests who put the “active” in “activist,” and a third guest who thinks perhaps you can be more effective with different tactics. </span></div>
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<div><span style="font-family: Verdana;"><br> </span></div>
<div><span style="font-family: Verdana;">Last summer, Greenpeace’s <a href="https://climateone.org/people/georgia-hirsty" target="_blank">Georgia Hirsty</a> and twelve other activists <a href="http://www.oregonlive.com/portland/index.ssf/2015/07/greenpeace_protesters_dangle_f.html" target="_blank">suspended themselves off of a Portland bridge</a> on ropes for over 24 hours to protest an oil rig bound for the Arctic. As the ship steamed towards them, Hirsty hailed it by radio, ordering it to stop. There were long moments of tension as the activists waited to see what the captain would do. They ultimately managed to delay the ship for over 40 hours, and create a lot of media attention. <a href="https://climateone.org/people/tim-dechristopher" target="_blank">Tim DeChristopher</a>, also known as bidder 70, ended up serving 21 months in jail for his act of civil disobedience when he outbid oil companies for oil and gas leases on parcels of land around Arches and Canyonlands National Parks… of course without intention to pay. His story not only made headlines, but has been made into a movie, also titled <a href="http://www.timdechristopher.org/bidder_70">Bidder 70</a>. And the oil is still in the ground to this day. </span></div>
<div><span style="font-family: Verdana;"><br> </span></div>
<div><span style="font-family: Verdana;">Activism as an extreme sport gets headlines, and in some cases, results. But wouldn’t it be more effective to try to change things from within? Greg’s third guest, <a href="https://climateone.org/people/brendon-steele" target="_blank">Brendon Steele</a>, thinks so. He believes working collaboratively on the inside of companies is a better way to influence their behavior than confrontation and villainization. His non-profit, <a href="https://www.future500.org/" target="_blank">Future 500</a>, works closely with energy corporations to encourage more sustainable business practices, through shareholder engagement and other methods.</span></div>
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<div><span style="font-family: Verdana;"><br> <strong>Speakers</strong></span></div>
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<li><span style="font-family: Verdana;">Tim DeChristopher, Founder, Climate Disobedience Center</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana;">Georgia Hirsty, National Warehouse Program Manager, Greenpeace</span></li>
<li>Brendon Steele, Director of Stakeholder Engagement, Future 500</li>
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</div>Wed, 06 Apr 2016 21:51:00 -0400Peter Bowdenhttp://www.timdechristopher.org/fighting_fossil_fuels_all_the_way_to_prison
Watch "The Last Drop" a new short film by Josh Fox #PancakesNotPipelines<p><iframe class="embedly-embed" src="//cdn.embedly.com/widgets/media.html?src=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2Fvideo%2Fembed%3Fvideo_id%3D10153486889533365&amp;wmode=transparent&amp;url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2Fgaslandmovie%2Fvideos%2Fvb.238848283364%2F10153486889533365&amp;image=https%3A%2F%2Fscontent.xx.fbcdn.net%2Fhvthumb-xtp1%2Fv%2Ft15.0-10%2Fp128x128%2F12108394_10153486921563365_1969040400_n.jpg%3Foh%3D081109ed221e7bff47354d3383472d33%26oe%3D5788D8AE&amp;key=e1208cbfb854483e8443b1ed081912ee&amp;type=text%2Fhtml&amp;schema=facebook" width="560" height="315" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe></p>
<p>Award winning filmmaker and activist Josh Fox just released this powerful short film about the reckless behavior of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC), its corrupt use of eminent domain to support fossil fuel profiteering, the violation of constitutional rights of the <a href="https://stateimpact.npr.org/pennsylvania/2016/03/02/maple-syrup-trees-cut-to-make-way-for-the-constitution-pipeline/">Holleran Family and the clear cutting of their maple syrup farm</a> to make room for the Constitution Pipeline.</p>
<p>It also documents our recent "Pancakes Not Pipelines" action which resulted in <a href="http://www.timdechristopher.org/pancakes_not_pipelines_protest_ferc">Josh and others being arrested</a> outside of FERC's headquarters, which was one of my favorite symbolic protests I've ever been a part of. </p>
<p><a title="Josh Fox via How To Let Go of the World Facebook Page" href="https://www.facebook.com/HowToLetGoOfTheWorld/posts/250435595298961"><strong>Josh Fox writes:</strong></a></p>
<p style="padding-left: 30px;">Check out my new short film "The Last Drop" about my recent arrest/action with Beyond Extreme Energy, <span class="profileLink">Tim DeChristopher</span> and <a class="profileLink" href="https://www.facebook.com/bethanyandrufus/">Bethany &amp; Rufus</a>.</p>
<p style="padding-left: 30px;">I am asking <span class="_58cn"><span class="_58cm">Bernie</span></span> Sanders and <a class="_58cn" href="https://www.facebook.com/hashtag/hillary?source=feed_text&amp;story_id=10153486889533365"></a><span class="_58cn"><span class="_58cm">Hillary</span></span> Clinton to oppose the unnecessary and destructive fracked gas pipelines that are proposed across the nation.<a class="_58cn" href="https://www.facebook.com/hashtag/gaslan?source=feed_text&amp;story_id=10153486889533365"></a></p>
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<p>This conversation on values can be seen more in our new film <a id="js_t" class="profileLink" href="https://www.facebook.com/HowToLetGoOfTheWorld/">How To Let Go of the World -and Love All the Things Climate Can't Change</a> Check it out!</p>
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<p> </p>Thu, 31 Mar 2016 16:19:31 -0400Tim DeChristopherhttp://www.timdechristopher.org/ferc_the_last_drop_pancakes_not_pipelines
FERC "Pancakes Not Pipelines" Protest Confronts Forces of Destruction with Generosity, Love and Vulnerability<p><iframe class="embedly-embed" src="//cdn.embedly.com/widgets/media.html?src=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.youtube.com%2Fembed%2Fp7SNtGd1vpw%3Fstart%3D55%26wmode%3Dtransparent%26feature%3Doembed%26start%3D55&amp;wmode=transparent&amp;url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.youtube.com%2Fwatch%3Fv%3Dp7SNtGd1vpw%26feature%3Dyoutu.be%26t%3D55s&amp;image=https%3A%2F%2Fi.ytimg.com%2Fvi%2Fp7SNtGd1vpw%2Fhqdefault.jpg&amp;key=e1208cbfb854483e8443b1ed081912ee&amp;type=text%2Fhtml&amp;schema=youtube" width="600" height="338" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe></p>
<p>Yesterday I took part in a powerful symbolic action at the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) headquarters in Washington DC. </p>
<p>A few weeks ago, <a title="Maple syrup trees cut to make way for the Constitution Pipeline" href="https://stateimpact.npr.org/pennsylvania/2016/03/02/maple-syrup-trees-cut-to-make-way-for-the-constitution-pipeline/">FERC allowed Megan Holleran’s maple syrup farm to be cut down</a> to make room for the Constitution pipeline, sending in<a title="Video: The Day They Cut the Trees for Constitution Pipeline on Hollerans Land" href="https://youtu.be/pAWz46M16YU?t=3m58s"> marshals with AR-15s</a> to make sure Holleran and her supporters didn’t get in the way of the guys with chainsaws.</p>
<p>Holleran responded by bringing the very last of the maple syrup from her farm and asking FERC employees to sit down and eat with her. There was some lightheartedness as we made pancakes on the sidewalk, which gave the protest a genuinely inviting feel. But it was radically confrontational with raw vulnerability.</p>
<p>Holleran refused to leave until they arrested her and seven others, including Josh Fox and Bethany Yarrow, forcing FERC to visibly act out their assault on her livelihood. This represents the best of symbolic protest--confronting forces of destruction with a radically different paradigm of generosity, love and vulnerability.</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"> <em><em><img src="https://d3n8a8pro7vhmx.cloudfront.net/timdechristopher/pages/184/attachments/original/1458915830/MeganHolleranArrest.jpg?1458915830" alt="MeganHolleranArrest.jpg" width="493" height="503" /><br><span class="watch-title " title="Pancakes not pipelines: DC protest ends in arrests" dir="ltr"><span class="watch-title " title="Pancakes not pipelines: DC protest ends in arrests" dir="ltr"><em><span class="watch-title " title="Pancakes not pipelines: DC protest ends in arrests" dir="ltr">Megan Holleran</span></em></span></span> arrest, <a href="https://twitter.com/dechristopher/status/713058417997381632">photo by Tim DeChristopher</a><br></em></em></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><em><img src="https://d3n8a8pro7vhmx.cloudfront.net/timdechristopher/pages/184/attachments/original/1458915742/JoshFoxArrest_leeziesche..png?1458915742" alt="Josh Fox Arrested" /></em></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><em>Josh Fox arrest, <a href="https://twitter.com/leemzee/status/713107878089854977">photo by Lee Ziesche</a></em></p>
<p><strong>Arrests:</strong><br><span class="watch-title " title="Pancakes not pipelines: DC protest ends in arrests" dir="ltr"><span class="watch-title " title="Pancakes not pipelines: DC protest ends in arrests" dir="ltr"><em><span class="watch-title " title="Pancakes not pipelines: DC protest ends in arrests" dir="ltr">Josh Fox</span></em><br><em><span class="watch-title " title="Pancakes not pipelines: DC protest ends in arrests" dir="ltr">Megan Holleran</span></em><br><em>Gabe Shapiro</em><br><em> BXE organizer Don Weightman</em><br><em>Ashfield (MA) Selectman Ron Coler</em><br><em> Jane Kendall</em><br><em> Bethany Yarrow</em> </span></span></p>
<p><iframe class="embedly-embed" src="//cdn.embedly.com/widgets/media.html?src=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.youtube.com%2Fembed%2FMy0Sn7Cl1o4%3Fwmode%3Dtransparent%26feature%3Doembed&amp;wmode=transparent&amp;url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.youtube.com%2Fwatch%3Fv%3DMy0Sn7Cl1o4&amp;image=https%3A%2F%2Fi.ytimg.com%2Fvi%2FMy0Sn7Cl1o4%2Fhqdefault.jpg&amp;key=e1208cbfb854483e8443b1ed081912ee&amp;type=text%2Fhtml&amp;schema=youtube" width="600" height="338" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe></p>
<p><span class="watch-title " title="Pancakes not pipelines: DC protest ends in arrests" dir="ltr">News coverage says we were protesting the clear-cutting of maple trees on the Holleran family farm for the construction of the Constitution Pipeline. That's the local fight. On a larger scale, this action was part of the growing movement to resist all new fossil fuel infrastructure projects. </span></p>
<p><span class="watch-title " title="Pancakes not pipelines: DC protest ends in arrests" dir="ltr">Building new natural gas infrastructure is a commitment to not solving the climate crisis. </span> </p>
<p>Media Hits:</p>
<ul>
<li><a href="http://ecowatch.com/2016/03/24/arrested-at-ferc/">EcoWatch: 7 Arrested at 'Pancakes Not Pipelines' Protest at FERC</a></li>
<li>
<a href="http://ecowatch.com/2016/03/24/arrested-at-ferc/"></a><span class="watch-title " title="Pancakes not pipelines: DC protest ends in arrests" dir="ltr"><a href="http://www.alternet.org/environment/gasland-director-josh-fox-arrested-pancakes-not-pipelines-protest">Alternet: 'Gasland' Director Josh Fox Arrested at 'Pancakes Not Pipelines' Protest</a></span>
</li>
</ul>
<p>Also see our posts compiling photos and videos live tweeted during the action:</p>
<ul>
<li><a href="http://www.timdechristopher.org/civil_disobedience_arrests_at_pancakesnotpipelines_protest">Breaking: Civil Disobedience, Arrests at FERC #PancakesNotPipelines Protest</a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.timdechristopher.org/ferc_pancakesnotpipelines">Concerned Citizens Serve #FERC Employees Pancakes and Maple Syrup for #PancakesNotPipelines!</a></li>
</ul>
<p> </p>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p dir="ltr" lang="en">'Climate change is on the menu' but no one from <a href="https://twitter.com/FERC">@FERC</a> has the courage 2 talk 2 us. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/pancakesnotpipelines?src=hash">#pancakesnotpipelines</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/BXEAction">@BXEAction</a> <a href="https://t.co/wNKVyHmjGF">pic.twitter.com/wNKVyHmjGF</a></p>
— Josh Fox (@joshfoxfilm) <a href="https://twitter.com/joshfoxfilm/status/713043801556828162">March 24, 2016</a>
</blockquote>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Making solar pancakes for FERC w/ <a href="https://twitter.com/dechristopher">@dechristopher</a> w/ last syrup from Hollerans <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/pancakesnotpiplines?src=hash">#pancakesnotpiplines</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/letgoandlove?src=hash">#letgoandlove</a> <a href="https://t.co/jMuxIVMIar">pic.twitter.com/jMuxIVMIar</a></p>
— Josh Fox (@joshfoxfilm) <a href="https://twitter.com/joshfoxfilm/status/713039719932817408">March 24, 2016</a>
</blockquote>Fri, 25 Mar 2016 16:17:00 -0400Tim DeChristopherhttp://www.timdechristopher.org/pancakes_not_pipelines_protest_ferc